Funding Policy – 2, 3 and 4 year old funding
The number of hours per week of free childcare you can get depends on the age of your child. If your child is:
· 2 years old, you can get 15 hours free childcare
· 3 to 4 years old, you can get 30 hours free childcare
You can now get 15 hours free childcare for your child from the age of 9 months if you’re working.
If you’re working
You can usually get free childcare for working parents if you (and your partner, if you have one) are:
· in work
· on sick leave or annual leave
· on shared parental, maternity, paternity or adoption leave
If you’re on adoption leave for a child aged 2 to 4 years old, you must return to work within 31 days of the date you first apply for free childcare for that child.
If you’re not currently working
You may still be eligible if your partner is working, and you are on carer’s leave or if you get any of the following:
· Incapacity Benefit
· Severe Disablement Allowance
· Carer’s Allowance
· Limited Capability for Work Benefit
· contribution-based Employment and Support Allowance.
You can apply if you’re starting or re-starting work within the next 31 days.
Your income
Over the next 3 months you and your partner (if you have one) must each expect to earn at least:
· £2,380 before tax if you’re aged 21 or over (equivalent to £183 per week)
· £1,788 before tax if you’re aged 18 to 20 (equivalent to £137 per week)
· £1,331 before tax if you’re under 18 or an apprentice (equivalent to £102 per week)
This is the National Minimum Wage or Living Wage for 16 hours a week on average.
You can use an average of how much you expect to earn over the current tax year if:
· you work throughout the year but do not get paid regularly
· you’re self-employed and do not expect to earn enough in the next 3 months
Please visit : childcare-funding-options
Policy for Term Time Only placements
Shooting Stars offer limited funding, term time only placements for children and families. These sessions are planned to fit into Shooting Stars daily routine, to meet the needs of all children in attendance at nursery, and to ensure that child:staff ratios are maintained. Current sessions are:
8.40 – 11.40
11.40 – 12.25
12.25 – 3.25
You can choose a mix of these sessions. For example, 8.40 – 12.25 or 8.40 – 3.25.
Non-Payment of fees
If you are experiencing financial difficulties and believe that you are not going to be able to pay your fees on time please speak to the Head of School or Nursery Manager to discuss a payment plan.
If invoices are not paid we have the right to suspend your child’s place at Shooting Stars until fees are cleared.
Non-Attendance
If for any reason your child does not attend Shooting Stars or are sent home due to being unwell full fees apply.
Waiting Lists and Registration Policy and Fees
Shooting Stars offers a waiting list system when sessions / days are at maximum occupancy. Once registered on to the Shooting Stars waiting list, families are eligible for any sessions available.
Priority for places to those on the waiting list is given in the following situation:
Families that are already in attendance.
For all families that complete and return a registration form:
- There is a £30 registration fee for each child.
- Generally, places are given on a first come first serve basis which determined by the date that the registration form was completed.
- At least 4 weeks’ notice will be given prior to your required start date confirming your child’s place.
- 6 weeks’ notice is required to amend or cancel the sessions you have booked.
- £1 per session is a voluntary contribution for each child for each session to go towards consumables
- We charge for Bank Holidays but not for INSET days
Non-Funded Hours – from September 2026
£6 per hour for 2 year olds
£5.30 per hour for 3 and 4 year olds
£1 per 3 hour session for consumables
Items included in the £1 voluntary contribution consumables fee:
Nursery-provided suncream
Playdough and messy play materials
Arts and craft supplies
Cooking ingredients
Snacks and drinks
Tissues, soap and hygiene products
Printing and laminating of resources
Digital learning platform subscriptions (Tapestry)
Outdoor learning consumables
Gardening materials
Replacement batteries and small classroom consumables.
The £1 fee for a 3-hour session is intended to contribute toward these shared resources rather than cover their full cost. It helps spread the ongoing expense of materials that are regularly used by all children and supports a varied programme of play, learning, creative activities, hygiene provision, and communication with families.
Breakfast club and after school club also available for Nursery Children (Orbit Club) from the age of 3 (Must be toilet trained).
Breakfast Club: 7:45 am- 8:40am
After School Club: 3:25 pm-5:30pm